Cortés & The Spanish Conquest of México

Come along on a 10 day Journey into History to follow the 260 mile route of conquistador, Hernán Cortés, his mistress and interpreter, La , and his soldiers of fortune as they began their ruthless march to divide and conquer the fierce , take their land, and steal their wealth.

From México’s Gulf Coast (now ) to Tenochtitlán (now México City), you will travel through some of this country’s most beautiful scenery - from tropical lowlands to high misty cloud forests, arid plateaus, over an Trip Itinerary 11,000 foot mountain pass, and into the valley where México May 18-27 2016

City is now located. Day 1: Arrive in the city of Veracruz Day 2: Meet your guide, Dr. Charles Ford Your trip leader will be Dr.Charles Ford. He is an authority on Boat Ride to reenact the arrival of Cortés the history of the Spanish Conquest and author of a new Quiahuiztlan archaeological site intriguing historical novel called, CONQUEST. Cempoala archaeological site Veracruz city tour In addition to learning the history of the Day 3: La Antigua—first coastal municipality Ex-Hacienda Zimpizuaha Spanish invasion, you will also have the opportunity to Pueblo Mágico towns of Xico & Coatepec explore two pre-Hispanic Pueblo Mágico towns in Veracruz and Day 4: Tzompantepec - Tlaxcalan battle visit the cities of Veracruz, , Cholula, , Tlaxcala city tour Cuernavaca, and of course, México City. In México’s capital Day 5: Cholula massacre site Great pyramid of Cholula city, you will also visit the National Anthropology Museum and Puebla city tour the to learn even more about México’s Day 6: Franciscan Ex-Convent in Calpan, Puebla colorful history. As for outdoor adventure, check out day six. Horse Trail Ride Scenic ride over Cortés Mountain Pass Day 7: of Cortéz in Cuernavaca, Morelos Cuernavaca city tour Day 8: Meeting place w/Montezuma, México City , México City / Metropolitan Cathedral Day 9: Paseo de - México City Site of the Noche Triste (Sad Night) National Anthropology Museum Chapultepec Castle / National Museum Farewell dinner Day 10: Travel Day Home

Trip Dates: May 18-27 2016

Trip Fee: $2595 USD/person (double occupancy) +1 (630) 274-5341 (US office) [email protected] Single Supplement: add $450 USD www.MexicoVacationTours.com Trip prices and itinerary subject to change

Includes: Airport pick-up in Veracruz, all ground transportation, Make plans to reserve your space TODAY! your special trip leader-Dr. Ford & also a local bilingual historian guide, activities per itinerary, all entrance fees, 9 nights of hotel lodgings, 9 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 1 dinner, filtered water each day, all taxes

Not included: Airfare, transfer to México City Airport on day 10, meals not listed above, alcoholic drinks, trip interruption insurance, travel medical insurance, and guide tips

Trip Difficulty: Easy-Moderate Group Size: 8-14 Suggested Minimum Age: 12

Cortés & The Spanish Conquest of México

Detailed Trip Itinerary May 18-27 2016

Day 1: Upon your arrival at the Veracruz International Airport (VER) you will be welcomed by one of our staff members who will escort you to the elegant Gran Hotel Diligencias which is located right across the street from the main plaza in the city of Veracruz.

Day 2: On your first morning in Veracruz, you will have breakfast at one of the oldest traditional restaurants in the city, the Gran Café del Portal. This is where you will meet your special guest trip leader, Dr. Charlie Ford. During breakfast, he will give you some background history about the arrival of the Spaniards and an overview of the route you are about to embark on.

Afterwards, you will travel up the gulf coast to where you will board a motor boat to take you on a short ride further north up the coast to the beach adjacent to the village of Villa Rica where Cortez’s men came ashore. In this way, you will get to experience the same view of the tropical coastline as the Spaniards did in 1519 as they were rowing to shore. This then is the starting point for what we now know as The Spanish Conquest of Mesoamerica. Your master chronicler, Dr. Ford, will keep a running narrative of the events which took place throughout your journey.

Continuing inland, you will explore the nearby ruins of Quiahuiztlan (Key-ah-weezt-lan) which sit on a high bluff overlooking the bay of Villa Rica. On a clear day, this vantage point gives you a superb wide-angle view of the Gulf of México. It was here that quite possibly the local people may have first spotted the Spanish ships. This archaeological site now contains many small burial tombs used by the more wealthy inhabitants centuries ago.

After a box lunch back on Villa Rica’s beach, your small group will continue this historical tour of the Spanish Conquest by visiting the archaeological site of the city of Cempoala. This is the place where Hernán first met the leader (the Cacique) of the Totonacas and made an alliance with these people to partner together to help fight the Aztecs.

You will return back to the city of Veracruz and see some of the main sites in a driving tour. Later, everyone will travel back to the Gran Hotel Diligencias to enjoy dinner on your own and the warm tropical evening in this historical port city. (B,L)

Day 3: This morning your tour agenda will include a buffet breakfast at your hotel, check out, and a short 30 minute ride to the riverside town of La Antigua. This is actually the site where Cortéz decided to create their first base of operations on the gulf coast. Remnants of the customs house built by the Spaniards can still be viewed as well as one of the first Catholic chapels constructed in .

Continuing your historical journey, you will travel inland (as the Conquistadors did) to the higher and milder climate near to what is now the capital city of Veracruz state; Xalapa. Just south of the city, everyone will stop at the Ex-Hacienda Zimpizuahua where you will have lunch. This ex-hacienda was built in the mid 1500’s by Antonio Reinoso, a soldier who fought with Cortéz. The grounds are a mixture of old buildings and lush tropical vegetation. Interestingly, there is a huge ancient aqueduct with a big water wheel which is still operational to this day.

Later, just a short ride down the road, you will explore the quaint pre-Hispanic Pueblo Mágico town of Xico, view the famous Texolo Waterfall which saw the likes of actors, Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner in the movie classic, Romancing the Stone. Many tropical scenes in different movies over the years have been filmed in ’s “Tropical Garden State.”

Another nearby pre-Hispanic Pueblo Mágico town is Coatepec. This town is well-known for its coffee shops as this is the area in Veracruz where coffee is grown. After checking in at one of the small comfortable hotels in town, you will have time to explore the town and check out the many shops located near the main square. Dinner will be on your own. (B,L)

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Day 4: After breakfast, your group will check out and travel west through the state of Puebla and into the eastern corner of the smallest state in México; Tlaxcala. Keep your camera ready as there will be some great scenic views to enjoy out your window on this two hour ride.

A multi-day pivotal battle between the Spaniards and the fierce Tlaxcalan warriors took place on a hill near the small pueblo of Tzompantepec. Your historian, Charlie Ford will vividly paint the picture of the battle from the viewpoints of Cortés as well as from the Tlaxcalans. You will also be invited into the municipal government building in Tzompantepec to view the colorful murals painted on the conference room walls depicting historical scenes of this battle.

The capital city of the state of Tlaxcala is also called, Tlaxcala. It is somewhat of a hidden gem as many foreign visitors seem to miss this very interesting city which is so near to México City. You will explore the downtown area by foot on a guided walking tour which includes a beautiful ex-convent, newly renovated murals in the government building, and even see the oldest bull ring (Plaza de Toro) found in all of México. Lunch will be at one of the local traditional restaurants.

Later, your group will travel an hour south to overnight at the Hotel Casa Calli in the town of Cholula in the state of Puebla. Dinner will be on your own. (B,L)

Day 5: After breakfast, Dr. Ford will continue the conquest story by taking you to the plaza where thousands of Cholulans were slaughtered by Cortéz and his men.

Adjacent to the site of this horrific massacre is the largest pre-Hispanic structure in the world in terms of volume. It is an enormous pyramid which is still mostly unexcavated. A beautiful Catholic church was later built on top to dramatically symbolize the religious conquest of this new land. You will have the opportunity to learn about the history of this massive structure and to visit the church. In addition, you will visit the Ex-Convent of San Gabriel which is located by the main square in town. Lunch will be at one of the restaurants in the main square.

At the time of the Conquest, the city of Cholula was the second most important city after the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlán. The present day capital of the state of Puebla is the nearby city by the same name which was not there when the Spaniards arrived. On this afternoon, your group will temporarily divert from the Conquest story to tour this colonial city. Later, you will head back to your hotel in Cholula where you can dine at one of the many fine restaurants near to your hotel. (B,L)

Day 6: Today is a day of adventure for your group. Once breakfast is consumed, you will check out and head west 45 minutes to the small town of Calpan. This is the route the Spaniards walked and rode on their way to the Aztec capital city. In Calpan, you will take a quick peek at the old 16th century Franciscan Ex-Convent and then get ready for a fun 2 hour horseback trail ride. The scenery is dominated by two tall mountains; Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl. During this horse ride you will get to experience (as Cortéz did) the rugged terrain on the east side of these two majestic mountains.

After lunch at a small local restaurant in Calpan, it will be time for your big journey up and over what is now called, Paso de Cortés. You will need to dress warm for this ascent through the pass as you will reach an altitude of 11,150 ft/3400 m. At the highest point, everyone will stop to view the now worn plaque dedicated to Hernán Cortés and his men as the original route in which he traveled over to reach the valley of the .

On the western descent, your trip will take another divergence from the Conquistador’s original route into what is now México City. There are two reasons for this change. The biggest reason is that your group will hit massive amounts of traffic on the road since you would be arriving into the city during the afternoon rush hour when everyone is heading home after work. Rather than subjecting you to long waits with stop and go traffic, you will head southwest and skirt the city by going into the state of Morelos and to its capital city, Cuernavaca. The second reason for going there is that you will be able to visit the Palace of Cortés, one of his many homes which has now been converted into a museum. Also, your accommodations for this evening will be at another beautiful house constructed by Cortéz. It was a sugar mill hacienda built in 1530 and has now been converted into the Hotel & Spa Hacienda de Cortés. Dinner will be on your own. (B,L)

Day 7: At the conclusion of a relaxing breakfast, everyone will travel to the city center of Cuernavaca to tour the Palace of Cortés. Today it is officially called the Museo Regional Cuauhnáhuac. This museum has artifacts dating back from prehistoric times to pre-Hispanic and all the way into the early 1900’s. There are also items related to Cortéz and murals painted by Diego Rivera. Interestingly, this building is the oldest preserved colonial era civil structure in México.

Other places you will visit include the Cathedral of Cuernavaca, the first chapel built in Mesoamerica, and the Borda Gardens, an estate built by a wealthy family who earned their fortune from mining silver. Lunch will be at a local restaurant. Later, you will return to the Hotel & Spa Hacienda de Cortés to relax and enjoy its tranquil beauty. Dinner will be on your own. (B,L)

Day 8: After enjoying a delicious breakfast at the hotel, everyone will check out and travel north to continue the story of the Spaniard’s trek as they finally reached and entered the Aztec capital, Tenochititlán (México City). Charlie will “set the stage” regarding the events which occurred upon meeting the Aztec King, Montezuma. Your first stop will be the actual meeting place (now a hospital) where Montezuma and Hernán Cortés first met. It is also the place where Cortés is buried.

Your group will then continue on to the Aztec Temple (Templo Mayo) adjacent to the main México City plaza. Remains of this structure can still be viewed along with an impressive modern museum containing many artifacts relating to this ancient history. Later, you will visit the National Palace with its famous murals of Diego Rivera and also you can marvel at the huge 400 year old Metropolitan Cathedral.

On this night you will be staying a few blocks from the main plaza at the Hampton Inn & Suites Centro Historico. This hotel has a mixture of old and new as this historical building was meticulously restored to include many of the building’s original elements, including the facade. Dinner will be on your own. (B,L)

Day 9: What a great way to conclude your journey to México City. This morning you will travel down the main called, . It is a wide avenue modeled after the Champs-Élysées in Paris. Your first stop will be to see the spot where legend has it that Cortéz wept for his men because … well … you will just have to let Charlie tell you the story.

The National Anthropology Museum is cavernous with thousands upon thousands of artifacts housed in several buildings. It is definitely a must-explore place when in México City, especially if you are a history, anthropology, and/or archaeology enthusiast. And even if you are not, you will still be amazed at the really cool “stuff” you will see. Your group will have a private tour of the museum.

After lunch at a local restaurant, your history lesson continues by exploring the castle on the hill in Chapultepec Park. Over the many Dr. Charles Ford years, this impressive mansion was home to a military academy, used as a residence for several Mexican presidents, and was also the location of the final battle in the Mexican-American War in September, 1847. This castle now houses México’s National Museum of History.

In the evening, everyone will partake in a fun and festive farewell dinner to enjoy your final night of Mexican hospitality and to share memories of your last 9 days of travel and exploration. You will overnight again at the Hampton Inn & Suites Centro Historico. (B,L,D)

Day 10: Taxi to the México City International Airport (on your own) Travel Day Home (B)

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